The short answer
Send a short written brief with photos, a realistic budget range and the dates you are free. Tradies in public forums say these are the requests they answer first, because it shows you are serious and saves them a wasted trip.
What tradies and homeowners say here comes from public Australian forum threads we read on 12 November 2026. We paraphrase it and leave out names. It is shared experience, not statistics or legal advice.
What goes in your brief
- the job in two or three plain sentences
- photos or a short video of the area
- measurements if you have them
- the materials you want, or whether you are open to advice
- a budget range and when you want it done
- the days you can be home for a visit
What puts tradies off
Tradies in public Australian forums mention the same things again and again:
- messages that ask for a price with no details
- a long printed spec from someone who has never done the trade
- "best price" when the budget is far below the real cost
- saying several other tradies "did not get the vision"
- a job that is described as something you do not want but have to do
Be kind to the ones who quote
Quoting takes unpaid time. Tell each tradie when you have decided. A short "thanks, we went another way" means they are more likely to help you next time.
Then check the quote
When quotes arrive, use our checklist and the quote comparison sheet.
Common questions
Why won't tradies reply to my quote request?
Common reasons are a vague request, no photos or a budget that is far from the real cost. A clear brief helps.
How many quotes should I get?
Consumer Affairs Victoria says at least three written quotes.
Sources
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: getting quotes, checked 12 November 2026